To Buy or Not to Buy

In the past, I sent a message to Val of Little Butterfly Wings (huge fan) when her previews showed only a small section of her papers when I was trying to decide on her pack. I noticed she now often includes a second preview showing the entire view of the papers (thank you!). Her papers are so amazing and sometimes those little slivers don't really show that. Here is one where she does that: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Papers-ADD-ON-M3-August-18.html

I also like to see the unique thinks clearly in a preview. Most kits have flowers, string, etc.; I want to see what else they have.

 

I like to see word bits or word art. That's what usually catches my eye.

 

I've been thinking about this question and I think I tend to buy based on theme and/or color, so there isn't one item that "has" to be in a kit. But like @BevG mentioned, I like when I can see papers in mixed media or art journal-y types of kits because they're always so unique. And sometimes just seeing a fun paper can spark my creativity.

 

PREVIEWS of the elements with a neutral background, same goes for WAs. Sometimes you miss so much with the busyness of the pattern papers as part of the kit preview.

 

I really love when designers split the papers and elements into separate packs. I'm able to buy more that way! Sometimes I don't want or need overly themed papers and I love getting just the elements to use with other things I already have.

 

Color, and versatility of word art and kit items.

 

Paint, transfers and texture, are .must haves, and only God knows why,but if it has a bicycle in it it lands in my basket...

 

First and foremost, colour determines whether I buy a kit. Then how elements look against a neutral background (I agree with @Dalis, it is sometimes hard to determine what elements are included when the preview is against the patterned papers). Next, if the kit contains coordinating solids to go with its patterned papers. I find looking for matching solids in other kits so tedious! I also like patterned papers to be varied. Not every patterned paper has to have all the colours of the kit in it. Having a simple patterned paper is often better for me than a more complex one.

 

Yes, I love tone on tone papers and LOVE LOVE if the paper pack has a wood looking paper. LOL!!!

 

Tone on tone papers are so versatile!! Love them!

 

ME TOO, Kiana!!!!!

Out of my last 6 pages, 4 have wood grain of some kind.

 

Mine is cameras. Always with the cameras!

 

I'm not very helpful. I have to look at a kit and go "Oh! That would work great with x photos!". And since no designer has access to my brain and photos.... It doesn't have to be theme, but the colors or word art or something has to say scrap x with this!

If it's a unique color scheme for a holiday,(especially ) I will take a second glance. Or a boy kit without flowers. I always look at those twice to see if I would use it! But then it comes down to my photos....

 

It's almost always colors (bright and fun) that draw me in first... then I love to see a bunch of generic elements included. Just because I'm scrapping about beach pictures doesn't mean I want EVERY element to say "beach" on it, KWIM? I love buttons and bits and strings, etc. that match colors but aren't too themey.

 

Most bicycle kits are super cute!

 

I buy almost everything! I love anything with books or reading themed and have lots of tv/movie watching stuff. I LOVE a good plaid (Allison Pennington is my go-to for great plaid papers). Woodgrain is another type of paper I love. I am getting into more artsy style stuff and have LOVED the recent BYOC releases by Rebecca McMeen- both her July and her August stuff had some LOVELY bits and bobs. I will buy almost anything with a tandem bike, as my husband and I left our wedding on one owned by my parents and we (my mom, dad, brother and I) all used to ride it when I was little (me in a kidseat on the back, my baby bro in a backpack carrier on my dad.) I tend to love Peppermint's stuff and have bought almost all of her kits over the years- I miss her designing! I am filling in that niche with Elif Sahin and Sabrina's Creations though I still miss One Little Bird!